KARACHI, Nov 8: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Raza Rabbani on Saturday said that the government would protect interests and rights of the working class and that the privatization will be very selective.

He also announced that all those workers who were sacked between 1993 and 1996 on political grounds would be reinstated with benefits.

Speaking at a gathering organised by the workers’ union of the State Bank, he slammed those who were criticising reinstatement of PPP supporters and asked: “Are not these workers Pakistanis… Were not they victimized?”

He said the PPP was trying to take along all segments of society to protect the rights of every citizen.

He said the government had fulfilled one of the promises made to the people of Pakistan by Benazir Bhutto by taking the pro-worker decision.

Mr Rabbani warned “anti-workers forces” to mend their ways or else be prepared to face wrath of the oppressed and exploited people. Earlier, the minister was given a rousing reception by trade union activists on his arrival in the city.